A Family with Eleven Kids Receives Mattresses from Project Prevention

When his wife passed away in 2008, Manuel became a single dad to his eleven children- 4 girls and 7 boys. For many years, this family lived in a single-bedroom apartment, which only had a living room, kitchen and restroom. Everyone in the household managed to cram into a tight space; however, they slept on the floor. As a widower, Manuel supported his children through his restaurant job, but his income was not enough to relocate his large family into a more spacious home.

 

Moving to America from Guatemala 25 years ago, Manuel and his wife raised their children in Los Angeles. After Manuel’s wife died from liver failure two years ago, social workers became concerned about the family’s living conditions, and saw the horrendous circumstances that they had called home. Manuel’s children range from the ages of three to nineteen. The youngest was just a baby when his mother died. When The Dream Center found out about Manuel’s family, they could not ignore the overwhelming need, and brought essential aid to each family member.

 

Since the start of this year, Manuel and his children have been able to move into a two-bedroom apartment. On May 19, 2010, The Dream Center’s Project Prevention ministry took a truck loaded with beds to this family, who had become accustomed to sleeping on the floor. This was a massive improvement for Manuel and his children, many of whom never had a mattress of their own. They can now rest comfortably and have better mornings when they wake up after a good night’s sleep.

 

Along with having their basic needs met and a homey place to live, this family has become closer to each other and to God. Though each day has its own struggles, Manuel and his children have experienced the lovingkindness of Project Prevention volunteers. Thanks to the sacrificial offerings of Dream Center supporters, Project Prevention is keeping families unified. Because of all of the supplies that this ministry team brought to Manuel’s home, which many homes can take for granted, he and his children can stay together without fret of being placed into the foster care system. They can now have a renewed sense of hope.